Golf ball sphericity gauge and putting device

ABSTRACT

A golf ball sphericity gauge having an aperture into which snugly fits the largest cross-sectional area of a standard-size golf ball. A support is fixed relative to the body of the device for positively supporting the golf ball in such position. The outer dimensions of the device are such that, if it is placed on a horizontal surface and contacted by a golf ball rolling on that surface, the golf ball will fall within the area defined by a standard-size golf hole.

United States Patent Inventors Walter M. Smyk 437 Valencia Drive, SouthSan Francisco, 94080;

Frank E. Turner, 3 Greenfield Court, San Mateo, Calif. 94403 Sept. 29,1969 Division of Ser. No. 733,602, May 31, 1968, Pat. No. 3,512,262

Patented Apr. 13, 1971 Appl. No. Filed GOLF BALL SPHERICITY GAUGE ANDPUTTING DEVICE 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 33/178 Int. Cl G01b 3/34 Field of Search ..33/178 (A),

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,785,474 3/1957 Mages33/178(A) FOREIGN PATENTS 4 8,751 1913 Great Britain 33/168(B) 159,447,1921 Great Britain 33/178(B) l 1 1,209 1944 Switzerland 33/168 275,4801951 Switzerland 33/ l 68.( B)

Primary Examinerl ,eonard Forman Assistant Examiner-Dennis A. DearingAnorneyMellin, Moore and Weissenberger ABSTRACT: A golf ball sphericitygauge having an aperture into which snugly fits the largestcross-sectional area of a standard-size golf ball. A support is fixedrelative to the body of thedevice for positively supporting the golfball in such position. The outer dimensions of the device are such that,if it is placed on a horizontal surface and contacted by a golf ballrolling on that surface, the golf ball will fall within the area definedby a standard-size golf hole.

PATENTEU APRIBIBYI 3,574,260

A. an

(EU, l4 A F 10.] Y INVENTORS WALTER M. SMYK BY FRANK E. TURNER ATTORNEYSGOLF BALL SPHERICITY GAUGE AND PUTTING DEVICE CROSS-REFERENC E TORELATED APPLICATION This application is a divisional application of ourcopending Golf Ball Sphericity Gaugev and Putting Device, Ser. No.733,602, filed May 3 1, I968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,512,262.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to golfing apparatus,and more particularly, to a combination gauge for testing the sphericityof golf balls and device for use in golf putting practice.

As is well known, it is extremely important that the equipment used inthe game of golf be in good condition and up to specifications. This isparticularly true of the golf balls used. It has been found that anout-of-round golf ball can cause problems in golf that even great skillon the part of the golfer cannot compensate for While modernmanufacturing techniques are used to produce golf balls withsubstantially perfect spherical shapes, with the use of a ball, itgenerally becomes deformed. This is so because of the relatively greatforce applied thereto by a swinging club face. When the ball become lessspherical, its travel cannot be predicted as accurately, whether theball is being driven or putted. This, of course, results in greatproblems to the golfer, which are usually reflected in his score. Itwould therefore be desirable to provide a gauge which can be used totest the roundness of a golf ball.

The usual type of gauge devised for such use is of the "Go- No Go" typeas disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,3l0,879 to Brzezinski et al. Such agauge has a passageway which is of accurately machined constant diameterthat provides a slip fit between the interior surface of the passagewayand the largest cross section of a standard, undeformed golf ball. Ifthe golf ball passes through the passageway, it is then rotated to a newposition and another attempt is made to pass it through the passageway.This continues on until one is satisfied that the ball is satisfactorilyround. Such a repeated procedure is obviously relatively time-consuming,since the ball, for the test to be complete, must be passed through thepassageway numerous times, in various positions.

A device of more general interest is the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.2,785,474 to Mages et al. Therein is shown a ball the roundness of whichis tested by a precision micrometer,

the overall device being quite complicated.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device which is capableof quickly and effectively testing the roundness of a golf ball,meanwhile being extremely simple and convenient to use.

It is well known, of course, to provide devices which may be placed on arug in a house to take the place of the golf hole, so that one maypractice his putting in the convenience of his home. Such devices arethemselves relatively complicated.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device which,while fulfilling the above object, can be used for practice putting inthe home, and is quite simple,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Broadly stated, applicants golf ball sphericitygauge comprises a body member having a circular top portion defining acircular aperture therein of a size to snugly receive the maximumcross-sectional area of a standard, undeformed golf ball, and meansfixed to and extending from the body member for supporting the golf ballin a position with its largest cross-sectional area snugly fitted in theaperture. The body member further has a circular bottom portion adaptedto rest on a horizontal surface, and an upright conical surface portioninterconnecting the top and bottom portions and adapted to be contactedat a plurality of points thereabout by a golf ball rolling on thehorizontal surface on which the bottom of the body portion rests. Thepoints about the upright conical surface portion which may be contactedby the golf ball rolling on the horizontal surface define a circle thediameter of which is substantially 4.25-l.68 sine (angle between theconical surface portion and horizontal) inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the following descriptionand drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the device;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the device of FIG.I;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of the device;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the device of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the device;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation, partially in section, of the device of FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic fragmentary side elevation of the embodiment ofFIGS. 3 and 4, showing the geometrical relationship of certaindimensions of the structure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIGS. 1 and 2, a firstembodiment of the device is shown generally at 10. The device I0 has aplastic body member 12 which includes a circular top portion 14 whichdefines a circular aperture 16. The aperture 16 is of such size tosnugly receive the maximum cross section of a standard, undeformed golfball 18 placed thereon.

Plastic means 20 are included for supporting the golf ball I8 in suchposition (i.e. with its largest cross-sectional area snugly fitted inthe aperture 16). Means 20, in the embodiment, are made up of aplurality of arms 22 fixed to the body member 12 and extending inwardlytherefrom, and a pillar 24 fixed to the inner ends of the arms 22. Thepillar 24 supports the golf ball 18 with the greatest cross-sectionalarea thereof in the aperture 16.

If it is desired to test the roundness of a golf ball 18, it is placedin the aperture 16 and rests on the pillar 24. Of course, with the golfball 18 in one position, it cannot be told whether the golf ball I8 issatisfactorily spherical, because only one cross section thereof isbeing tested. However, the golf ball 18 may be repositioned in acontinuous manner by running the fingers over it to rotate it while itrests on the pillar 24. The arrows of FIG. 2 show this being done in onedirection. It will be understood, of course, that the direction can bechanged at will, and that the ball 18 will have substantially all of itsmaximum cross sections disposed in the aperture 16 within a matter ofseconds. Each of these cross sections must fit snugly within theaperture 16 for the ball to rotate relatively freely. If the ball isout-of-round or deformed, jamming between the ball I8 and the aperture16 will occur, requiring a relatively great force to rotate the ball 18.Such jamming, of course, is an indication that the ball 18 is deformed.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is similar to that of FIGS. I and2, being a plastic body member 26 which includes a circular top portion28 which defines a circular aperture 30. Plastic means 32 are includedfor supporting the golf ball 18. Means 32 are made up of a plate 34fixed to the body member 26, and a pillar 36 fixed to the plate 34. Thepillar 36 supports the golf ball 18 with the greatest cross-sectionalarea thereof in the aperture 30. The operation of the embodiment is thesame as that of the previous embodiment.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is similar to the two previouslydescribed embodiments, but is made entirely of metal, with the means forsupporting the golf ball 18 being an annular member 38 fixed to a bodymember 40 and defining a bore 42 the periphery of which supports thegolf ball 18.

A study of FIGS. 3 and 4 reveals that the body member 26 has a circularbottom portion 44 which is adapted to rest on a horizontal surface 46,and an upright conical surface portion 48 interconnecting the top andbottom portions 28 and 44. With the bottom portion 44 resting on thehorizontal surface 46, the conical surface portion 48 is adapted to becontacted at a plurality of points thereabout by a golf ball 18 rollingon the horizontal surface 46. These points which may be contacted definea circle 50, as shown in FIG. 3. The diameter D of the circle 50 and-theangle a (FIG. 4) between the conical surface portion 48 and thehorizontal surface portion 46 have an important relationship, which willnow be described in detail. Reference is also made to FIG. 7, which moreclearly shows this relationship.

A standard-size golf ball has a diameter of 1.68 inches. lf golf balls18 are positioned at A and B, on opposite sides, they contact theconical surface portion 48. They also contact the horizontal surface 46at points X and Y respectively. Z represents the distance between pointsX and Y. If the diameter of circle 50 is represented by D, it will beseen that the distance from point X to point Y, that is, the distanceSince the balls 18A and 18B are substantially identical,

F=G, and the distance Since the triangles .l and K are similar, anglea=angle a (FIG. 7). Thus the distance F=% (diameter of ball 18) sine a(diameter of ball 18) sine a A 1.68) sine a D+l .68 sine a.

lfZ is chosen as 4.25 inches,

4.25=D+l .68 sine a, or

D=4.25ay1l.68 sine a inches.

lt will be seen that if a golf ball 18 is putted toward a device restingon the horizontal surface 46, and the diameter D of the circle 50defined by the possible points of contact between the ball 18 andconical surface portion 48 is D=4.25l .68 sine a inches, the ball 18, ifit contacts the device at all, would have to pass over the edge of animaginary circle 4.25 inches indiameter. The diameter of a normal holein a golf course is 4.25 inches, and so, if the dimensions are chosen asdescribed, the device can be used for putting practice.

The other embodiment shown and described incorporates the samerelationship of dimensions with D and a being varied in accordance withD=4.25l .68 sine a inches, and can be used in the same way.

Each of the embodiments of the devices disclosed herein can thus be usedfor two purposes. Each can easily and conveniently be used to testaccurately whether a golf ball is deformed to any degree. This is sobecause each embodiment includes a positive support for the ball beingtested to hold it in the gauging aperture and on which the ball can berolled. It is insured by such support that the ball is held in properposition, with its largest cross-sectional area in the gauging aperture.Each embodiment can also easily and conveniently be used as a puttingdevice, merely by placing it on the rug of ones home. This is so becauseof applicant's dimensional relationship described above, which insuresthat, if a rolling ball strikes the device, the ball would roll over theedge of a standard-size hole, or inward thereof. It will be noted that,besides being capable of such uses, each embodiment is extremely simpleand convenient for such uses.

We claim:

1. A golf ball sphericity gauge comprising:

a. a body member having a circular aperture therein of a size to snuglyreceive the maximum cross-sectional area of a standard, undeformed golfball; and

b. means fixed to and extending from the body member for supporting thegolf ball in positions with its largest crosssectional area snuglyfitted in the aperture when rotated about any axis. I 2. A golf ballsphericity gauge according to claim 1 wherein the means fixed to andextending from the body member for supporting the golf ball comprises aplate fixed to the body member and a pillar extending from the plate andby which the golf ball is supported in said position with its largestcrosssectional area fitted snugly in the aperture.

3. A golf ball sphericity gauge according to claim 1 wherein the meansfixed to and extending from the body member for supporting the golf ballcomprises a plurality of arms fixed to the body member. and extendinginwardly therefrom, and a pillar fixed to the arms and by which the golfball is supported in said position with its largest cross-sectional areafitted snugly in the aperture.

4. A golf ball sphericity gauge according to claim 1 wherein the meansfixed to and extending from the body member for supporting the golf ballcomprises an annular member fixed to the body member and defining a borethe periphery of which supports the golf ball in said position with itslargest crosssectional area fitted snugly in the aperture.

1. A golf ball sphericity gauge comprising: a. a body member having acircular aperture therein of a size to snugly receive the maximumcross-sectional area of a standard, undeformed golf ball; and b. meansfixed to and extending from the body member for supporting the golf ballin positions with its largest crosssectional area snugly fitted in theaperture when rotated about any axis.
 2. A golf ball sphericity gaugeaccording to claim 1 wherein the means fixed to and extending from thebody member for supporting the golf ball comprises a plate fixed to thebody member and a pillar extending from the plate and by which the golfball is supported in said position with its largest cross-sectional areafitted snugly in the aperture.
 3. A golf ball sphericity gauge accordingto claim 1 wherein the means fixed to and extending from the body memberfor supporting the golf ball comprises a plurality of arms fixed to thebody member and extending inwardly therefrom, and a pillar fixed to thearms and by which the golf ball is supported in said position with itslargest cross-sectional area fitted snugly in the aperture.
 4. A golfball sphericity gauge according to claim 1 wherein the means fixed toand extending from the body member for supporting the golf ballcomprises an annular member fixed to the body member and defining a borethe periphery of which supports the golf ball in said position with itslargest cross-sectional area fitted snugly in the aperture.